Essay on The Controversy of Stem Cell Research

Essay on The Controversy of Stem Cell Research

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The Controversy of Stem Cell Research

One of the most controversial topics these days is Stem Cell Research. There seems to be a split opinion among societies about the research and whether it is socially and morally acceptable. As a society, we need to open our minds to the possibility of broadening our scientific horizons with stem cell research, and take the time to learn and understand whatever we can about it.

There are a lot of people who don't know exactly what Stem Cell Research is which contributes to why a lot of people seem so against it. Stem Cell Research can best be described as taking a stem cell, 'a primitive type of cell that can be coaxed into developing into most of the 220 types of cells found in the human body'(Robinson). which is extracted from a human embryo and can be used to 'help alleviate human suffering from certain diseases.'(Robinson).

Adult stem cells can also be used, and although they are harder to control, they are almost equally effective. Due to the lack of political and social agreement for the use of embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells are making a quick comeback. Before more research was done on adult stem cells they were thought to have very little value in stem cell research, but due to the controversy over embryonic stem cells and the amount of money necessary for research on them, adult stem cells have been allowed more time and effort and are now 'quickly making regenerative medicine a dramatic reality.' (Healy). Adult stem cells 'can be found in small amounts in every organ in the body.'
(Healy).

?They won?t be rejected and won?t cause uncontrolled cell growth, and, if effective, are therefore preferred for patient therapy. Of particular interest are the ones that nest in the bone marrow; they have the ability to transform into almost any tissue in the body.? (Healy).

Stem cell research is being performed to help alleviate certain medical conditions. Because stem cells are so adaptable ?physicians can produce cells and tissues, tailored to a patient?s genetic identity, that can treat a wide variety of human illnesses.? (Travis). There is a large amount of diseases that can possibly be assuaged by stem cells; ?devastating diseases like Parkinson?s diabetes, heart failure, and Alzheimer?s.?(Healy). Not to mention that the ?advance toward creating ever more complex tissue...

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...arch has been a highly controversial topic, it could be the answer to many devastating illnesses. With the advancements that our country has made, this could possibly be the way to cure people of there pain and suffering. It could begin to broaden our medical horizons. Thanks to Stem Cell Research, a child may be able to walk, which most people take for granted.

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- Stem-cell research is a complex subject. First of all you need to know there are three main categories of stem cells. Embryonic, Fetal and Adult; not everyone is for or against all of these types. There are different sets on pros and cons to each of these types and I will address a few for each type. I believe the pros outweigh the cons in each of these and stem cell research is very beneficial for medical purposes. The term ‘stem cell research was first used by gist Alexander Maksimov, a Russian histologist in 1908.... [tags: Stem-cell research, medical, ]

- The Controversy of Stem Cell Research One of the most controversial topics these days is Stem Cell Research. There seems to be a split opinion among societies about the research and whether it is socially and morally acceptable. As a society, we need to open our minds to the possibility of broadening our scientific horizons with stem cell research, and take the time to learn and understand whatever we can about it. There are a lot of people who don't know exactly what Stem Cell Research is which contributes to why a lot of people seem so against it.... [tags: Stem Cells Science Biology Essays]

- The topic of stem cell research is highly controversial. Although most people who consider themselves "pro life" are the main opposition for this potentially beneficial research, most people do not fully comprehend what stem cells are, much less the implications of them. In a highly generalized statement, stem cells are cells with no specialization. This allows them to form into the majority of cells in the body, depending on where they were from. In this essay I’m going to not only offer a plethora of information regarding stem cells, but make an in depth analysis of the question that everyone wants the answer to, should stem cells be used.... [tags: orthodox christianity, pro life]

- When James Thomson at the University of Wisconsin and John Gearhardt at John Hopkins University were able to culture human embryonic stem cells in a lab in 1998, they opened up an entire world of controversy now known as the stem cell debate. The importance of embryonic stem cells to modern science and medicine rests largely on the fact that they are pluripotent. This means that they have the ability to form into any cell necessary within the body; they can be encouraged to become skin cells, brain cells, etc.... [tags: Morality, Advantages, Government, ]

- Should Stem Cell Research be prohibited. The ongoing bioethical controversy of stem cells research has been debated in political arenas across the world. As with any debate there are two sides to the issue. Scientific researchers want to expand their research into emerging fields like stem cell research in hopes of bettering medicine for the future. Human right activists and some religious groups are against this type of research because the harvesting of stem cells from embryos is seen as the destruction of human life.... [tags: bioethical controversy]

- Stem cell research is an ever-evolving area of modern policy. Many bills have been proposed and some have been passed in this area. Stem cells are pluripotent, meaning they can be converted into other. These cells have the potential to treat and cure many illnesses for which this is not yet an option. Most of the controversy over stem cell research involves moral opposition. 1998 marked the first removal of a human embryonic stem cell. Until recently these cells could only be obtained through human embryos.... [tags: Moral Opposition, Controversy, Heal Illnesses]

- Over the past decade scientist and the U.S government have been debating about funds for stem cell research (SCR), the amount spent depends on who is in office. The Democratic Party fully supports SCR, but the Republican Party somewhat opposes the concept of SCR, arfuing it violates the Christian principle of life. As a result, this topic is considered controversial, but also beneficial if allowed. Despite the controversy, SCR should be well funded for medicinal use, because blank stem cells (SC) can be used to regenerate bones and muscle tissue, they can be used to control or even reverse neurodegenerative disease, and because they can be used for therapeutic cloning.... [tags: controversy, regenerative, ethics]

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- As the research teams of the EuroStemCell project teach in their educational short film A Stem Cell Story, there are certain stages of development while in the uterus where most of our cells stop dividing and stabilize into a specific kind of cell. They do not mutate throughout our life. These cells are referred to as specialized cells. Once they are damaged or die they cannot regenerate themselves. There is one kind of cell that never specializes during development. They are called stem cells and they are the only known cells that can renew themselves.... [tags: embryo, embryonic stem cell, ethics]

- Stem cells are cells that can form into any type of cell, they are found in bone marrow, embryos, fetuses, and blood from the umbilical cord. Early in development, a human embryo is made up of a hollow ball of cells called a “blastocyst”. Blastocyst cells divide and eventually develop into all of the tissues and organs of a human being, a process called “differentiation”. Embryonic stem cells can be grown in the laboratory from blastocysts and made to differentiate into nerve, liver, muscle, blood, and other cells.... [tags: Controversy, Debate, Politics]